Harvey Karp

Harvey Neil Karp (born 1951) is an American pediatrician, child developmentalist, children’s environmental health advocate. He is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. Karp lives in Los Angeles with his wife Nina.

Karp is best known for his techniques for calming infants, promoting sleep and communicating with toddlers. The New York Times said “If there is such a person as a 'baby whisperer', it is the pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp.”

Karp is the author of best-selling books and DVDs, The Happiest Baby on the Block, (2002, 2015), The Happiest Toddler on the Block (2004, 2008) and The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep (2012), which have been published in over 20 languages.

Early life, education and career

From 1982-2005 Karp practiced pediatrics and child development, working with noted pediatrician Paul Fleiss in their office located in a converted residence on Hillhurst Ave in the Los Feliz neighborhood in Los Angeles, California. He was assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at the UCLA School of Medicine from 1989-2009. He appeared as a regular contributor to the Lifetime cable television show, “Growing Up Together” from 1990-1992. In 2009, he became an assistant professor of pediatrics at the USC Keck School of Medicine.